Doctor Who‘s long-awaited sixtieth Anniversary celebrations kicked off on Saturday night time, with fan favourites David Tennant and Catherine Tate reprising their roles because the titular Time Lord and his companion Donna Noble.
The pair’s return to the BBC present, within the first of three specials, was lauded by followers, 15 years after they final travelled within the TARDIS collectively.
It was a reunion that had sparked questions from die-hard followers, after Donna’s reminiscence of The Doctor was wiped in a bid to save lots of her life, in heartbreaking scenes from their final journey in 2008.
However, showrunner Russell T Davies created an unlikely loophole that reinstated Donna’s reminiscences, permitting her to see The Doctor once more after they tackled one other alien menace.
In the episode, recent from his regeneration, the Doctor by chance crosses paths with Donna after a spaceship crashes in London.
Back once more: Doctor Who ‘s long-awaited sixtieth Anniversary celebrations kicked off on Saturday night time, with fan favourites David Tennant and Catherine Tate reprising their roles because the titular Time Lord and his companion Donna Noble
Iconic: The pair’s return to the BBC present, within the first of three specials, was lauded by followers, 15 years after they final travelled within the TARDIS collectively
Desperate to stay away from her, he rushes off to analyze, unaware {that a} mysterious alien has escaped, and adopted Donna and her daughter Rose residence.
Rose (performed by Heartstopper’s Yasmin Finney) makes an attempt to cover the alien, a fluffy creature referred to as Beep The Meep, however Donna quickly finds it and all the household are compelled to flee their residence from alien army clashing with UNIT officers.
In a bombshell twist, Meep (voiced by Miriam Margolyes) is revealed to be the true villain, and vows to make use of their spaceship to wipe out the town.
Despite the Doctor’s finest makes an attempt to cover his id from Donna, he’s compelled to surrender after they’re trapped in Meep’s exploding spaceship, and his longtime buddy unlocks her Doctor Donna alter-ego to destroy the ship.
In heartbreaking scenes, Donna tragically dies in The Doctor’s arms, however a stunning twist reveals that her talents have been handed onto her daughter Rose.
Not solely does Rose rescue her household, however Donna, and all of her reminiscences, are resurrected, bringing one of many present’s most beloved duos again collectively once more.
Despite the Doctor’s considerations that the Time Lord energy may overwhelm them each, Donna reassures him that they will deal with it like all lady – by ‘letting it go.’
The episode ends with the Doctor getting a glimpse of his model new – and glowing white – TARDIS, earlier than a blunder from Donna results in the pair being catapulted into area to a vacation spot unknown.
Rescue: In heartbreaking scenes, Donna tragically dies in The Doctor’s arms, however a stunning twist reveals that her talents have been handed onto her daughter Rose
Amazing: Not solely does Rose rescue her household, however Donna, and all of her reminiscences, are resurrected, bringing one of many present’s most beloved duos again collectively once more
The first particular was universally praised by followers, who lauded that David and Catherine had seamlessly slipped again into their roles after 15 years aside.
Taking to X, previously often called Twitter, one wrote: ‘I had the most important smile on my face throughout that complete episode. I missed Donna and the Doctor a lot!’.
While a second mentioned: ‘Okay I stayed and am crying at Doctor Donna’.
A 3rd typed: ‘That. Was. WONDERFUL!!! My coronary heart is so heat. I bloody liked each second. Donna Noble and The Doctor are BACK.’
Someone else mentioned: ‘Today I really feel like i am a child once more. i have never felt this sort of pleasure for the reason that mandalorian season three finale. the 14th physician and donna we’re every part i keep in mind and wished again. allons y!!!’.
And: ‘It was Brilliant to see The Doctor and Donna again collectively and particularly DoctorDonna lol thanks, trying ahead to the subsequent two episodes then onward to the seventieth’.
Viewers: Fans took to social media of their droves to reward the characters return
With a six writing: #DoctorWho was every part I wished and extra. This new period is gonna be wonderful!!!! So nostalgic seeing The Doctor and Donna again collectively and I liked the story!’.
Viewers will subsequent see The Doctor and Donna land on a mysterious alien planet within the second episode, titled The Wide Blue Yonder.
The specials will then conclude with The Giggle, starring Neil Patrick Harris because the villainous Toymaker, and can lead into Ncuti Gatwa’s debut as The Doctor on Christmas Day.
Speaking in a Q&A forward of the primary particular, Russell revealed that he satisfied David and Catherine to return after they took half in a Who ‘tweetalong’ throughout the Covid lockdown in 2020.
He additionally revealed that Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan has joined the solid, and can seem within the present’s Christmas Special in 2024.
‘I simply love David and Catherine collectively, really,’ Russell mentioned. ‘And I really like that TARDIS. David liked that set a lot he thought it might be completely good to run round it like that. After eight takes, not fairly so enjoyable. He was worn out by the top.’
Russell added that it was Catherine who urged she’d prefer to reprise her function as Donna in an upcoming episode.
‘Catherine mentioned, ‘Oh, I’ve at all times liked Donna Noble and would not or not it’s marvellous to make some extra?’ And I went, ”Oh yeah, yeah, yeah,” like that. And then she requested David. She mentioned, ”Would you make some extra?” And he mentioned he would, in a heartbeat,’ Russell mentioned.
‘So then she instructed me that and I genuinely felt honour-bound to go to the BBC and say, ”Look, these two stars have simply mentioned they might love to return again.” I knew it was the sixtieth anniversary developing. Simple as that.
‘So I simply despatched off that e-mail about Christmas Eve or one thing – finest Christmas current you ever had!’
‘All I acquired was a reply saying, ”Thank you. We’ll give it some thought.”
Doctor Who’s sixtieth Anniversary celebrations proceed with The Wide Blue Yonder on Saturday at 6:30pm on BBC One within the UK, and Disney+ internationally.